The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-09-28
TIE woMAN's RELIEF CORPS.

Second only in importance to ths Grand
Army itself is the Woman's Relief Corps,
organized st Denver, July %, 1888. the
organization was effected under call from
Commander-in- Chief Paul Vsnderyoort.
requesting the various societies of women
working for tho Grand Army to assemble
and unite in forming national associs-
ton, auxiliary to the Grand Army OF the
Republic. In taking this step the Com.
mander.in-Chief carried out the proyi-
sions Of the resolution adopted at the
Fourteenth National Encampment. held
10 Indianapolis III 1881, and which read es
follows: j 5T+5 = -
Reso'red, That We approve Of the project
Of the organization Of the Woman's
National Relief Corps.
Rcsolred, That such Woman's Rslief
Corps may use under such title the words
Auxiliary to tho G. AR" ~
The Denver convention was a notable
aaaemblags OF women, representing twen.
ty-aix organizations. Mrs. L. Florence
Barker, President Of the Department Of
Massachusette,l was the principal expo.
nent OF the relief corps idea. It was to be
q secret organization modelled after the
Ia. r. Sixteen States were represented
ard it was decided that all loyal women
should be eligible, Independent Of their
relationship to eoldiers. Mru. Barker was
elected National President and Sarah E..
Fuller Secretary. The organization spread
rapidly, and now every State and Tori
tory in the Union is Represented aud tho
membership this year is put at 10000.
The third convention Of the Woman q
Relief Corps was hald in Portland, Mo-, in
June, 1855, and was addressed by num-
bes Of the prominent officials in the G. A.
r. It was during this year that the order
experienced wonderful growth. The
total memhership ut the date of the con-
vention was IS 900, d gain OF nearly 49,
600. The number OF corps had increased
from 1872 to 472, and $l3 G3S 81 had bson
expended in charity, and q large relief
fund on hand. .i5.5..s-s st,,A' ! 'gIt-
1t is estimated that there are 10000
members OF the, Woman's Rs}ief Coros in
the city,, Their headquarters at the South
ern is the most popular headquarsers in
the city, due chiefly to the good work &C.
complisheu by the local ladies' committee,
The annual convention will be held We'd
AVeuay LII Aht tuOulC I1hlls '- .Nu.. 3-r.
THE Loyal LEGION. fy-'s5l
! Among the military bodies that are
largely represented hare is the order OF
the Loyal Legion, which will have & re-
union in the latter part Of the week.
There are fifteen communicating, and they
have occurred headquarters at the Liudell
Hotel, and will welcome all companions
The Legion WAS founded in Philadelphia.
April l6. 1855, and ita purpose is to
strengthen the ties Of fellowship formed
by comradeship in arms, and to maintain
national honor, unity and independence.
The order is divided into thres classes,
The first Is open only to commissioned
ctlicsrs OF the war whose records arc with.
out blemish. These are called Com nan.
ions OF the First Glass. Companions Of the
Second Glass mus! be male desceadsnts Of
those OF the first class. and on the death
of Companion Of the First Claes through
whom eligibility was derived, q Comp an
ion Of the Second Claas. rises to the dece.
DENTS position. 4, .tGJAa 2,.l7s'','t
Companionship In the Third Glass ia
confined to those gentlemen in civil life
who we're especially distinguished for con.
spicnous and consistent loyalty. General
Hancock was for many years the ranking
officer Of this order, and after his death
General Sheridan was chosen Commander
IN Chief. Colonel Nelaon Cole, nm old
regplar army officer, iB the Commander 81
tho Missouri! Department. 55 y